Camera-support.



PATENTED APR. 10, 1906.

H. L. WHEELER.

CAMERA SUPPORT.

-APPLIOATIOH FILED our. 19, 1905.

In yen/01 .Z amz'. 46%? ,a w w jA/iznesses m A. W

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 10, 1906.

Application filed October 19, 1905. Serial No. 283,371-

To a, 1071,0111, it may concern..-

Be it known that I, HAROLD L. WHEELER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Buil'alo, in the county of Eric and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Camera-Supports, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for supporting cameras,and especially to a device by which portable cameras, such as are ingeneral use by amateur photographers, may be easily adjusted and focusedand when in the act of photographing will be held steadily from the bodyof the photographer without resort to a tripod or similar impedimenta.

One of the objects of the improvements which form the subject-matter ofthis application is to provide a camera-support which can be easilycarried while the user is climbing and which can be quickly brought intoposition for the operation of the camera supported thereon in placeswhere a tripod could not be set up. It permits the tourist to focus hisviews accurately without burdening himself with a regular tripod orgoing through the erformance necessary to set one up. For snap-shot workit holds the camera in a position level with the eyes, when the objectto be photographed may be easily sighted through the view-finder andcaught, it necessary, on the fly. It unifies the photographer and hisinstrument, thus making possible many kinds of work otherwisenonachievable.

Other objects of general utility will be apparent and need not bespecifically mentioned.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisapplication, Figure 1 is a view showing the application or use of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a view, on an enlarged scale, of my inventioncomplete. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing the hingedconnection between two of the parts of my invention.

Referring now to the details of my invention as shown in the drawings, Arepresents a circular plate, of suitable metal, from the center of whichare cut and bent up at right angles lugs 07, and on each side of saidlugs loops a are formed by cutting and slightly bending portions of themetal. Extending through holes in the lugs is a pin a on which aremounted two small rollers which serve as spacers 0r washersand asantifrictional bearings for the coupling-tip b of the tubular rod B,which is pivoted on said pin between said rollers.

C is an ordinary belt supplied with the usual buckle, and same isattached to the plate A by passing it between loops a and the adjacentparts of the plate, thus effecting a slidable connection between plateand belt.

In the tubular rod B is telescopically mounted a second tube 1), and, ifdesired, there may be several such tubes having an adjustable or slidingrelation to each other. On the outer end of the extensible rod b isfixed a coupling D, in which is pivotally secured a hook d and the outerend of which provides a ball-and-socket joint or connection for thetripod-plate E and the camerascrew 6 which may be of any of the approvedpatterns for such devices. Connected detachably with the hook d by alink f is a strap F, which is supplied with a buckle and is adapted toserve as a sling in supporting the camera when in operative position, asshown in Fig. 1, or for carrying the camera when not in use, in eithercase said strap being thrown over one shoulder and under the oppositearm.

In use the belt will be worn by the photographer in the usual manner,and the plate A will be arranged at the side, so that the extensiblerod-sections which are pivotally connected with the plate will hang downat the side of the user, so he will have free use of his limbs. Thecamera-case may be hung on the sling-strap, so as to be carried on theopposite side of the user. When it is desired to use the camera, it willbe disconnected from the sling and the latter will be joined to thecoupling element D by the hook d. The camera will be connected with thescrew e in the usual manner and tripod-plate adjusted to point thecamera correctly. Each user will know after once using at what length hewants the brace.

What I claim is- 1. In a camera-support, a belt adapted to be worn aboutthe waist of the user, a plate slidably mounted on said belt, a bracecomposed of rods telescopically arranged, and having a pivotalconnection with said plate, a coupling comprising a universal joint,secured to said brace, means for attaching a camera to said coupling, anadjustable sling adapted to be worn about the shoulders of the user, andmeans for loosely connecting said sling with said coupling.

2. In a camera-support, a belt adapted to be worn about the Waist of theuser, a plate adjustably mounted on said belt, an extensible bracepivoted on said plate, and means 5 for removably connecting a camerawith said brace.

3. In a camera-su port, in combination with a belt, a plate a justableon the belt, a

brace pivotally connected with said plate, a

couplin connected with said brace, and 10 means For removably attachinga camera to said coupling.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HAROLD L. WHEELER.

Witnesses:

GEO. A. RoBmso' IDA HORN.

